Sheriff's official: Alcohol may be factor in North Topeka fatal rollover

Brian L. Riley, 33, was killed in a one-vehicle accident Monday night in the 3600 block of N.W. Rochester.

Brian L. Riley, 33, was killed in a one-vehicle accident Monday night in the 3600 block of N.W. Rochester.

Emergency responders work the scene of a fatality wreck Monday evening at 3700 N.W. Rochester Road.

Two sheriff's deputies work the scene of a fatality wreck Monday evening at 3700 N.W. Rochester Road.

Alcohol may have been a factor in a one-vehicle rollover wreck Monday evening that killed a Topeka man and critically injured a toddler in North Topeka, a sheriff’s official said Wednesday.

Shawnee County sheriff’s Sgt. Brad Jones said statements from people who were with the driver prior to him getting behind the wheel indicated alcohol may have been involved. Jones said investigators are awaiting results from the toxicology report, which could take a month or two.

The driver — Brian L. Riley, 33 — was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in the 3700 block of N.W. Rochester Road. Kylynn Gunter, 1, suffered life-threatening injuries and ultimately was flown to a Kansas City-area hospital where her condition remained critical Tuesday.

Loren Gunter, 12, sustained injuries not thought to be life-threatening.

Jones on Wednesday said speed isn’t believed to be a factor in the wreck. The injuries wouldn’t have been as severe if the occupants of the vehicle had used seat belts or been properly restrained, he said.

A preliminary investigation revealed Riley and the 12-year-old boy weren’t wearing seat belts. Jones said the 1-year-old girl was in a child safety seat, but that neither she nor the seat appeared to be properly restrained.

Authorities said Riley was an acquaintance of the mother of the two children.

Jones said Riley had left a residence to go to an auto parts store and was on his way back when the wreck occurred. He and others had been working on a vehicle, Jones said.

The incident occurred when the northbound Honda Accord left the roadway, struck a driveway culvert and rolled.